Ting-tong! Here goes, Your Highness! The clock strikes the wee hours, and that weird hunger hits us. Our sleep cycle is already a mess due to our heavy workload and careless screen time! On top of that, we often feel guilty because of our midnight cravings because we are still not used to healthy midnight snacks.
Gather here, the night owl community! This blog is going to be your resource for guilt-free snack ideas. Check out these top 5 healthy solutions for your midnight cravings!
Healthy midnight snacks: Choose your favorites
Eating our favorite snacks and soup while burning the midnight oil is a pleasure. But let’s admit it. It’s never guilt-free. So, here you go! I have listed my all-time go-to healthy midnight snacks. Take a look and choose what works for you.
Popcorn
Binge-watching movies at night without popcorn? Nope! Not happening.
This widely-known snack is underrated. If you are watching your weight, popcorn is a fantastic pick for a nighttime snack because 100 g of air-popped popcorn has only 387 calories. And to consume 100 g, it means a pretty decent amount!
However, remember, it’s healthy if you don’t douse it in caramel or butter.
If you have just air-popped popcorn without any added oil or salt, then-
- 24 g of popcorn will provide approximately 93 calories.
- It will also contain 18.6g of carbohydrates.
- Additionally, it has a 3.6 g fiber count and three grams of protein.
- The fat count is negligible.
Makhana (Fox nuts)
South-Asian countries, especially India, have had this excellent snack as a staple for many years. It’s also called Phool Makhana or popped water lily seeds. Suppose you are a midnight muncher looking for a low-carb, low-calorie snack, dry roast makhana with one teaspoon of butter, ghee, or sesame oil. Sprinkle a pinch of rock salt and chaat masala, and there you go!
Here are some nutrition facts from our research:
- Makhana is a low-GI (glycemic index) snack, so it will not skyrocket your nightly insulin levels.
- You will get approximately 350 calories per 100 g of consumption.
- It has a significant amount of carbohydrates and can be a fine secondary source of protein.
- Good news! It has no trans-fat.
- It’s a high-potassium, optimum fiber-rich snack.
Remember to roast them before consumption or store them in an airtight jar, as they soften when exposed to air.\
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Fox nuts
Sweet potatoes
Here comes my favorite sweet potato. As a late-night snack, it can be a great choice.
- Because of the complex carbohydrate content, you do not have to overthink your sugar spike.
- It can also promote better sleep.
- If you are low in potassium, sweet potatoes are your go-to snack.
- The high potassium content in sweet potatoes relaxes your muscles, leading you to sleep like a baby.
You can boil them in water, roast them, or bake them in the oven. It’s a refined-sugar-free, light, sweet snack for those long nights when you have to work on your assignments.
Eggs
Eggs are versatile, and so is their instant cooking time.
Do not hesitate to go for it if you are on a low-carb or high-protein diet. Boiled eggs are healthier than fried ones. They don’t add many calories and keep you full longer.
- One large hard-boiled egg, approximately 50 to 55g, contains 77 calories.
- It has an almost negligible amount of carbohydrates.
- Also, boiled eggs are rich in good fats.
- Moreover, they are a good source of vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin B5, and vitamin A.
Sounds too healthy for a midnight munch, right?
Pair them with salad or vegetables for extra satiety. Slice your eggs as you like. I recommend a pinch of black pepper and your favorite seasonings on top!
Instant noodles
Hey, but you were supposed to give us healthy midnight snack idea!
Let’s make it healthy for you before you come at me like this.
During my journey to a healthy lifestyle, I have religiously followed one piece of advice from my favorite YouTuber and dietician, Kylie. And that was:
”Add, do not subtract.”
If we apply this formula to our midnight meal plans, we need to cut down on carbs and add some wholesomeness to this dish. Like this-
- Take half of the noodles from the serving.
- Cut down on packet seasoning. Instead, use ground spices and your local herbs.
- Add some veggies and a protein source like eggs, tofu, seeds, edamame, or roasted nuts. It can be plant-based or non-vegetarian.
- Keep your pickled onion or kimchi on the side.
Now you have a warm, comforting, balanced meal to which you can come back over and over again.
Before I go
When we experience back-to-back hunger pangs at night, we often eat processed and junk food. We believe that, as we work late hours, we deserve a feast.
However, buddy, your body doesn’t think so. Hence, the next time you get hungry, reach out to any of the above healthy midnight snacks. You will feel less guilty and less stressed, and most importantly, your energy level will not hit rock bottom. Try this and thank me later.
Until next time… stay healthy and happy!Disclaimer:The calorie counts and nutrition facts of the food mentioned above may vary depending on meal preparation, cooking time, added substances, etc.
Image sources: Pixabay
